Mohamed Jinna, CEO of Halal India is trying to assist with raising awareness amongst Halal certifiers internationally to address the issue of the labelling of Halal meals on airlines worldwide. His questions is, why does IATA name Halal meals ‘Muslim meals’ rather that just ‘Halal’? They call the Jewish meal a ‘Kosher’ meal, and the Hindus can opt for a ‘Vegetarian’ meal, not a ‘Hindu meal’, so why not the ‘Halal meal’ for the Muslims? This would also be a step to ensure that there be some for of Halal certification on it to satisfy the Muslim customer.

Halal India management is working with an Indian legal team to initiate a campaign with Indian Muslims association, leaders, and political parties to file a case to IATA office in India.

The following was a letter produced by Mr Jinna to IATA in India:

RE: Appeal to change the air catering food labelling name from “MOML” (Muslim Meal) to HALAL MEAL” “HLML “(Permitted Meal).

May the peace be with you, Good day.

This is with reference to our on-board carting services under the auspicious of IATA standard for all the on-flight food & beverages services being provided to the passengers. We recollect that as per the existing categories of food services being practised by different faiths and religious affinities of the travelling passengers are dully recognized in India & worldwide.

We take this opportunity to most sincerely bring to your kind attention that as for as serving the food and beverages as per Muslim Faith and need , it is currently widely accepted and practised worldwide to serve and consume food & beverages under the label “MOML” (Muslim Meal). We most humbly put forward our sincere request to redefine this label “MOML”and to change it to “Halal” Meal. For Kosher meals, KSML meal is used (not ‘Jewish’ Meal) but when it comes to Muslims they code it to MOML (Moslem Meal). This is an open discrimination. It restricts in some way the popularity of Halal Meal among non-Muslims however it is fit for human consumption.

Your esteemed organization can also re-emphasize the same to IATA which will ultimately strengthen our community as whole.

Halal (Arabic: means lawful or legal) is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. It is the opposite of haraam. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law (Sharia).

This will have more specific reach to the set classified passenger travelling world wide.

This is only the first stage to give a more customer friendly understanding of the on-flight catering services available worldwide, and our first step is to address the need of on-flight catering services being provided to the people of Islamic Faith. Today many airline food catering service providers claim & label meals as “MOML” without proper halal certification processes being followed, and they self claim that the food is suitable for Muslim travellers. Authorised Halal Certification should be obtained if they claim the food is suitable for Muslim travellers.

We will forever be grateful to you and your organization if you would consider our aforesaid request and proposal. Expecting your positive reply and advice as soon as possible.

Thanking You,

Yours Truly,

Mohamed Jinna

CEO, Halal India

IN +91-9884399988 SG + 65-97638009

www.halalindia.org

“Eat Permitted Food – Live Healthy”

“O you people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and clean…”(Quran 2:168)